Although callings of “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas” will ring over the next few months, for many these phrases will lack any semblance of joy.

As nature’s palette becomes devoid of color and snow begins to the blanket the ground, over 10 million Americans might begin to feel increased moodiness, Psychology Today reports.

These winter months will affect many people; I have witnessed it first hand. Growing up, several of my friends all seemed to become the same person in the winter, someone who we’ll call Elizabeth.

Elizabeth began to express a lack of desire to do anything. She wouldn’t leave her house, instead devoting her time to sleeping.

After weeks of misery she decided to seek help.

She had Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, a condition that typically takes effect around October or November, peaks in January or February and tapers out in March or April. For Elizabeth, it would affect her right after midterms and persist until finals the following semester.

As the days shortened, SAD threw off her biological clock, which led to feelings of depression.

For others the reduced sunlight can lead to a drop in serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood.

Like any health issue, there are risk factors that increase the likelihood of SAD being present.

For my Elizabeth, several of these came into play. They include: being female (according to Psychology Today, somewhere between 60 and 90 percent of people affected by SAD are women), living far away from the equator, having a family history of depression and having clinical depression or bipolar disorder. The increased desire to sleep, lack of motivation to accomplish things and moodiness are common in college students going through finals.

Elizabeth, became a different person, incapable of enjoying the winter season with her family and loved ones. Elizabeth’s desire to feel better opened up doors to treatments. The most common treatment is light therapy, which Elizabeth still uses. Due to the decrease of exposure to the sun’s rays, the body has to compensate in other ways. It was enough to help her find happiness again.

If this treatment ever stopped working, Elizabeth felt comfortable enough going back to counseling to find another solution. With winter encroaching at a greater pace than ever before, it is paramount to be conscious of your mental state.

Elizabeth is not the only one on campus who is affected by SAD.

Thankfully, she felt empowered enough to seek help at the UK Counseling Center. She sought help when many people feel like they can’t, and it made a difference.

When anyone is dealing with SAD, it is important to keep in mind that you are not alone if you feel despondent and listless. You are not abnormal if you feel sad and alone. You are the same amazing person you have always been. Just because winter lacks the summer brightness, it doesn’t mean you have to lose your internal sunshine.

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